During the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Rotterdam, a new partnership – LAUNCH2 – was officially launched with the aim of accelerating the development of hydrogen technologies in the region. This initiative brings together the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Municipality of Schiedam, the Province of South Holland, InnovationQuarter, TU Delft, TNO, and Smart Delta Drechtsteden. The partnership was established to foster a more coordinated development of regional hydrogen value chains and to strengthen Rotterdam’s position as one of Europe’s key hydrogen hubs.
The LAUNCH2 initiative unites the efforts of government bodies and research institutions to support companies operating in the field of hydrogen technologies. Participants will be able to access assistance in finding partners, gaining access to knowledge and infrastructure, as well as securing opportunities for project testing and scaling. The program’s primary objectives include bridging the gap between business, government, and academia; fostering innovation; facilitating knowledge exchange; and building a sustainable regional network for the hydrogen economy.
Within the framework of existing projects already integrated into LAUNCH2, several pilot initiatives are currently underway. These include FLIE-SubZero Rotterdam – a test facility dedicated to industrial electrification – and the RIFT project, which focuses on establishing a circular iron fuel plant in Rotterdam. These projects involve a diverse range of stakeholders: the lease agreement for the pilot facility was signed with the participation of PlatformZero and TNO, supported by the Port of Rotterdam and funded by the Province of South Holland, while InnovationQuarter provides investment support to guide the projects from the pilot stage through to commercial realization.